ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Atlanta Braves left-hander Joey Wentz will miss the 2026 season with a torn ACL, according to reports.
Wentz, 28, entered camp competing with right-hander Bryce Elder for the fifth and final rotation spot. He had a 3.18 ERA in 5.2 innings this spring before he left Sunday’s outing against the Tampa Bay Rays with a right leg injury from an awkward step while covering first base.
RELATED: Braves lefty Joey Wentz leaves spring game after awkward step covering first base
Joey Wentz has a torn ACL. #Braves players set to miss time this season (as of March 9):
Jurickson Profar (162-game suspension)
Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep (elbow)
Ha-Seong Kim (hand)
Sean Murphy (hip)
Joe Jiménez, Wentz (knee)
Opening Day is March 27 vs. KC.
— Aaron Schmidt (@AaronTSchmidt) March 9, 2026
Initial tests showed he avoided injury, but further testing revealed the torn ACL. Wentz will join Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep on the injured list, leaving the Braves with a rotation consisting of Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo Lopez, Grant Holmes and Bryce Elder.
Wentz had a 5.60 ERA in 2025, and played his part in keeping a banged-up rotation afloat for a Braves team that missed the postseason for the first time in seven seasons.
It’s been a brutal spring for the Braves. The team entered camp with high expectations, but its roster has steadily thinned as injuries and setbacks piled up.
As of March 9, the club has lost Jurickson Profar for the season after he tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. Pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep are dealing with elbow injuries, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (hand) and catcher Sean Murphy (hip) will miss the start of the regular season due their respective injuries, and both Joey Wentz and reliever Joe Jiménez are out with knee injuries.
Opening Day is March 27 when the Braves host the Kansas City Royals at Truist Park. It remains unclear whether Atlanta will add another arm, but the need is becoming more pressing as the regular season approaches.
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